Wonderful Elders - Thursday, March 25, 2010

It was a perfect day outside this morning and was to remain the same the entire day -- no humidity, clear, sunny, mid seventies. It would put anyone in a good mood. Love it!

We followed our morning routine with reading in the Book of Mormon, more of the Fire of the Covenant, read a couple emails about Jerry's successful surgery, but couldn't get making a lunch off the ground. We get so tired of sandwiches. Ham and cheese are okay, we endure the tuna fish here, and sometimes we have peanut butter and jelly. None of the above seemed exciting and worth making. So we decided to order a pizza to be delivered to the office.

The elders beat us to work because they had some missionaries coming to complete a part of their residency. They didn't have to take them down to Immigrations today as this part is their DNI which is done at a Civil Registry here in San Fernando.

I was so excited to see Elder Urra (on the left) in the office when we arrived. I just wanted to give him a big hug. He used to be companions with two of the past assistants, Elder Bloxham and Elder Pugmire, so we got to know him quite well as he would be in and out of the office regularly. He is from Chile and his father is a Mission President right now in Chile, but in an area other than where he is from. He has the cutest personality and speaks a little English, plays the piano, and loves the candy that we have in the office for the missionaries to eat. I surprised him once and put some candy in a zip lock bag and sent it to him in the bins that go to zone conferences. He immediately called to thank me and was touched that I sent him some, as when he got transferred, he mentioned he was going to miss the candy. He is a powerful missionary and a good friend. He is with his companion, Elder Diaz, in this photo.

So, today he gave me this darling handmade coin purse that was made by the aborigines in southern Chile. Now, I was touched. What a sweet thing to do. I love it!

We found out today that Elder Diaz and Elder Coria were good friends before their missions. They both grew up together in Neuquen, Argentina, but then the Coria family moved to Bahia Blanca a few years before Elder Coria came on his mission. What a good picture of both of them.

We have had a dry spell with mission sickness lately, and I knew it couldn't last. Today, I was on the phone until noon receiving calls, looking things up, calling back, emailing Dr. Petersen in Idaho, and recording what I learned. Having done this for eight months now, I can prescribe some things without calling the doctor. Nobody has died yet, thankgoodness!

We were told that the first of the two temporary doctors that are on board to come, will be here next week sometime. I think this is the one from St. George and he and his wife will be here for three months. I assume they will be missionaries with name tags and all for the time they are here, but maybe not. We don't know how that works.

One elder I spoke with today had a problem that could wait until the doctor comes. He preferred doing that rather than going to an Argentine doctor. It was interesting because he asked if I knew the doctor's name because he said his grandfather is a doctor and is from St. George. However, no news from home has ever told him that his grandfather would be coming to Buenos Aires. Wouldn't that be something.

Elder Kroff was super busy today fielding several calls regarding changing of emails, finishing up his plata de zona (zone money), writing a check for the President to sign, and collecting some data the President has requested.

Our office elder spotlight today is on Elder Justin Robert Hales who is from Hope Mills, North Carolina. He was born in Provo, and moved back East when he was a very young child. He is the oldest of four children, having a younger brother and two younger sisters. He was Studentbody President of Gray's Creek High School, and valedictorian of his graduating class. He was All State in track and field, and played soccer, tennis, and basketball. He loves wake boarding and snow boarding. He plays the piano and was in an All State orchestra playing the violin. He attended BYU for one year and has started obtaining his private pilot certification. Melvin's Burgers and empanadas are his favorite things to eat. He is also an Eagle Scout. What else can he cram into his 20 years of life?? He has a great personality and is a real asset to the office.

This afternoon I finished getting the last email with attachments off to the families of the four elders going home in April. They are all Latins and I sent their parents the flight itinerary and a letter from President Argyle, hoping it all went through successfully. I asked in the email that they respond when they receive it.

I entered baptisms until I left at 5:00. Rich stayed to help the elders with a teaching appointment they had. It wasn't a young person, so I wondered why they needed him. But, they just wanted him to go with them to add to the discussion because they think he is insightful and has good things to say.

We had a quiet evening, and are ready for bed.